The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-08-11

| i
and where was going, one of them said
"I'm sheriff down In Newbrasky, an
my podner here is deputy. We've got some
HOSES what was stole that we're takin
back. They don't lead very well, and I'll
give you SIS to go with us this afternoon
an to-morrer an help u.s."
Gan right" said. "Where are you
going to cross?n
"Down at Chouteau creek"
81 should think there were better''-
'That's the best crossin' round here
we know this country like book"
| saw that no information was wanted
from me, so 1 said no more and went
along with them. soon saw they were
remarkably well acquainted with the coun
try, and appeared to rather avoid whai
few roads and trails there were than other
| wise. We soon struck Chouteau creek
and started down it, frequently crossing
from one side to the other. noticed that
the men were both heavily armed, and ap
] peared rather nervous and in considerable
of a hurry. / thought nothing of this,
however, as nearly everybody went armed,
officers especially, and it was likely they
wanted to make the crossing that night,
and possibly they feared that the thieves
might attempt to recover the stock; We
passed through several groves Of large
cottonwood trees, and then turned up the
river.
"Do you mind riding all rights' asked
the sheriff.
"No," replied.
''I'll make it a couple o. dollars extra.
We want to cross up here an get cross
the pint of the reservation an over to
Red Bird on the Niobrara fore we STOP"
$50 ahead, I'll stay with YOU"
A little later heard the sound of hoofs
behind us. This gave me no uncasiness,
but the moment it struck the ears of my
companions they took their Winehesters
from where they were fastened on the
saddle and began to look back intently.
A moment later q dozen horsemen came
around the point of bluff ut full speed.
Several of the party fired at US. My COM
panions returned the shots and dashed
away, leaving the horses they were lead
ing. I had no doubt that the thieves
from whom they had recovered the horses
were in pursuit, so followed as fast as I
| could. We were in an open place near
the river and headed for some cotton
! woods about quarter of q mile distant.
Our horses were on the run, and though
when I glanced back saw that our pur-
easily have reached the timber ahead of
them had not shot from tho party be-
hind hit the deputy sheriff. He fell for
ward and struck the ground heavily,
while his horse dashed away. The sheriff
stopped and returned to him, while ball
whistled so uncomfortably close to my
own ears that concluded to do the same.
Our pursuers came up and surrounded us.
1t was growing quite dark by this time,
and could not well make out their feat
ures, though thought they looked moro
like farmers than horse thieves. In q
moment my suspicious were confirmed.
81 reckon we've got yc this time" said
one of the party, "an' ye bet We'll show
ye what this ere vigilance committee con-
siders good for boss thievesr'
The wounded man was taken up and
placed on horseback, two men We're de-
tailed to guard each one of us and we
started back. / tried to explain my con-
neetinn with the others, but was silenced
by the Gruf voice If the leader, who as=
sured me that would have chance to
explain things at the trial. This relieved
me somewhat, as / had no doubt that
could easily prove my innocence. We
rode till about midnight, when we came
to small cluster of houses called Mineral
Springs. We drew up before long log
house, which proved to be saloon and
hotel combined. The bar room was Lit up
and there were q number of men inside
and horses tied outside. They gave a
loud cheer when they saw the prisoners,
and there was great deal Of hurried COM
yersation. We were taken inside and
placed under guard, Twenty or thirty
men gathered in the room, when q man
said:
"Wen, boys, we've brought 'em in, an
we got the bosses. reckon we'd better
| try the men an fix everything up to-
night. The cheerman will please come
for'ard."
A man clbowed his way through the
crowd and took his seat en- box behind
q card table, It was Buck Hawkins,
| felt still easier, as l had no doubt he
would recognize me and set me at liberty.
The trial was very informal, and the
other two were quickly disposed Of They
claimed that they had found the horses
cached further up the creek and never
stole them. TWAS admitted that perhaps
they found them hidden, but il was
charged that some others OF the gang put
them there. stBesides," said one man,
"s'pose they did find 'em cached-what
the country?''
''That's it," said Hawkins, whose ju-
I dicial mind instantly grasped this impor-
tant point, ''they hadn't no business at
all, anl ! reckon we'd better hang 'em fer
This was asssnted to with yell and
| Hawkins started to get up. I saw that
had been included with the others and
that must crowd in my defense. ac-
cordingly asked them to hold on and told
my story. When finished q short thick
set man showed his hands a little deeper
into his pockets and said.
'sGent1emep, want 70 remark I've
heered that air story occasionally before
thisp'
This was greeted by loud laugh and
everybody agreed to it:
'sBut see here, Hamkins,n I said, my
heart beginning to sink, ''you know me
you've seen me before" .#f"
"Oh, reckon seed We once" he re-
piled without looking at me.
!:Then ven know I'm pot horse thief. Z"
s'Can't' say that do. ] saw ye on O
steamboat o. couple of months ago, but
boss thieves can ride On steamboats,"
Like nearly everything else this was
agreed to with loud applause. saw that
my chances were growing desperate, and
used every argument in my power to con-
vince them thas | was innocent, The
men I had fallen in with put in their
tesUlmony in my behalf, but TO no effect.
They were especially anxious to see me
hang after one of the committee closely
scrutinized me, and identified me as Doc
Billings, ono of the leaders of the gang.
"He looks young but he's hard one, 7"
explained the man. So it was settled
that should hang with the others. ALI
seemed to be in favor of carrying the SEN
tenre out immediately. Here Hawkins
rose and said:
"Gentlemen, it wouldn't be fair shake
fer the other boys-wait till mornin' till
they come in to help, Besides, they may
bring in some more of the gang, an we
can ,..t-ina 'em all up together"
This was agree. To as readily as every
thing else, and we were taken to an empty
log house little distance from the rest
and three men detailed to guard us.
we were each given o blanket, and
wrapped mine about me and sank down
in q corner with the most terrible feeling
/ had ever experienced, My past life
came before me wildly, and my mother
and the home had so recently left with
out cause rose up before me and caused
me more bitter anguish than it seemed